Bangalore, Oct 22: Even as the Supreme Court said it wanted to give a "quietus" to cases pertaining to contempt proceedings against 14 publications in connection with the alleged Mysore resort sex scandal, a full bench of the Karnataka High Court by a majority decision today ordered separate trial of the respondents. While Justice T S Thakur dismissed an application filed by the complainant, registrar of the high court, seeking separate trial of respondents, Justice V G Sabhahit and Justice H L Duttu allowed the application and ordered that trial be held separately.
Justice Sabhahit and Justice Duttu observed that charges against each of the respondents were separate and trial should be held separately.
The respondents had also filed objections and the bench after hearing the counsel for the complainant and respondents passed orders on the application.
The bench adjourned further hearing of the petition to November 12.
After newspapers and journals published news items on the alleged sex scandal linking some judges of the court, the court initiated suo motu contempt of court proceedings.
The respondents challenged the contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court.
The apex court on October 06 had observed that it wanted to give a "quietus" to cases pertaining to the contempt of court action against the media.
Bureau Report